SPRINGFIELD, Illinois—Two men died in a three-vehicle accident with a semi-truck on I-55 southbound near the Pawnee-Auburn Exit 82. The crash happened around 8:47 p.m. on October 30, 2022.
Reportedly, a northbound semi-truck driven by a 42-year-old Texas man veered off the road, hit a guardrail, and crossed over the median into the southbound lanes of I-55 before stopping across all southbound lanes of the interstate. A pickup truck then struck the semi, and a Ford Taurus with one passenger also hit the semi-truck. All three vehicles quickly became engulfed in flames.
One man suffered fatal burns and was pronounced dead at the scene. A male and female were transported to Springfield Memorial Hospital, where the man died due to injuries sustained from blunt force trauma. Although the woman had life-threatening injuries as well, her condition remains unknown. The semi-truck driver was not injured in the crash.
An active investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. No further information is available.
Families of crash victims deserve compensation for the unexpected loss of their loved ones
From the limited facts, it seems apparent that the semi-truck driver was at fault for the wreck that caused the two men’s death. After all, the victims may never have died but for the semi-truck crossing into the southbound lanes. Thus, the semi-truck driver and commercial trucking company should be held responsible for these innocent deaths.
When car crashes are caused by another driver’s negligence, the victims and their families are typically entitled to compensation from the driver or their insurance company. In crashes involving semi-trucks, the grieving families can also seek compensation from commercial trucking companies, assuming the semi-truck involved in the wreck was owned by a larger company.
Indeed, commercial trucking companies are responsible for educating their drivers about the importance of driving safely to prevent a wreck. When drivers do not receive such training, or when truck drivers fail to adhere to company protocol while driving, the trucking company itself may be held partially accountable for the consequences of a driver’s crash. In fact, most commercial trucking companies have insurance policies specifically designated for compensating those injured or killed because of their drivers’ negligent acts.
Truck drivers and companies cannot cause serious accidents and then walk away unscathed. Wrongdoers must be held responsible, and innocent families must receive the justice and answers they deserve. This is a tragic loss of life that must be investigated, and all wrongdoers must be held accountable for their actions.
We offer our condolences to the families affected here and pray they may find peace during this difficult time.
